Man Shoots Himself in Foot, Leads to His Own Arrest: Prosecutor

A 55-year-old South Plainfield man was arrested on Thursday after seeking medical attention for a self-inflicted gunshot wound led police to find weapons unlawfully in his possession.

It was just after 8 a.m. When Green Brook Police were called to a medical care facility located on Route 22 due to a report of a male, later identified as Patrick M. Monahan, with a gunshot wound on his right foot, according to the Union County Prosecutor’s Office.

“Responding Green Brook Patrol Officers made contact with defendant Monahan, who indicated to officers that he accidentally shot himself in the foot while camping in a wooded area in Piscataway, New Jersey, according to the prosecutor’s office. Monahan also informed Officers that the weapon he utilized was in his vehicle which was parked in the parking lot of the medical facility.

Monahan was transported to an area Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital – New Brunswick for medical treatment.

Detectives from the Green Brook Township Police Department an the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit were called in. A search warrant was obtained for Monahan’s vehicle, which resulted in the seizure of:

• A loaded Para 1911 .45 caliber pistol along with 2 loaded magazines
• 2 ballistic vests
• A pair of handcuffs

According to the prosecutor’s office, Monahan does not possess a New Jersey Firearms Identification Card nor is he employed in any law enforcement capacity.

Monahan has since been charged with:

• Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, 2nd Degree
• Certain Persons not to have Weapons, a 2nd Degree
• Prohibited Weapons and Devices (handcuffs), a Disorderly Person’s Offense.

His bail is set at $75,000 cash or bond.

Anyone with information regarding this incident can contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Major Crimes Unit at (908) 231-7100, the Green Brook Township Police Department (732) 968-1188, or the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477) or online at www.888577tips.org or www.scpo.net and click on either “Crime Stoppers” or “TIPS HOTLINE”. All anonymous Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.